JPH01163764A - Copying device - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention provides a copying apparatus that recognizes different color image areas on a document from reflected light exposed to the document and forms images of different colors for each color region. It is related to.

[Conventional technology]

Conventionally, in this type of device, such as an analog copying machine, a latent image is erased by emitting light from, for example, an LED array onto an area specified by an erase area specifying means provided in an operation unit, such as a digitizer or numerical input. A model equipped with an erase function has been commercialized. In addition, in a digital copying machine, such as a laser beam printer, image information read from a reader is temporarily buffered in memory, and when masking processing is specified for area data specified from the operation panel, A model has also been commercialized that is configured to perform image processing to convert the image information stored at the address corresponding to the area data into white image information, and to easily erase the specified image and make a trimmed copy. ing.

By the way, recent image processing apparatuses are configured to be able to accommodate a plurality of developing units in a replaceable manner, and when performing trimming copying as described above, trimming copying can be performed in a desired copy color, There is an increasing demand for obtaining a well-designed or impressive copied image by multiple-transferring trimmed images of different colors onto a single transfer sheet.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in order to perform the color trimming copy described above with an analog copying device, a complicated key is required to specify the inside or outside of the color area to be copied in the original, and then repeat erase and development processing on the image for that area. There are operational problems in that the user is not able to fully utilize the functions, as it requires a lot of practice and paper waste to obtain the optimum color cutout image.

This invention was made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems.The invention detects line drawing areas of a specific color by color-separating the reflected light obtained by exposing the original, and then detects line drawing areas of a specific color. To provide a copying device capable of outputting a mask image in which an image drawn outside a line drawing area is erased from a single color original with simple operation and accuracy by erasing.

Means for Solving Problem C] The copying apparatus according to the present invention includes an area detecting means for detecting a line drawing area of a specific color in a document, and an area corresponding to the line drawing area of the specific color detected by the area detecting means. An eraser means for erasing the outside of the image area of the photoreceptor, and an image area of the photoreceptor corresponding to the line drawing area of a specific color detected by the area detection means is erased by one of the plurality of developing units. A development control means for performing development by a development unit is provided.

[Effect]

In this invention, the eraser irradiates a light beam to erase the outside of the image area of the photoreceptor corresponding to the line drawing area of a specific color detected by the area detection means, and the development control means The development control means controls the development processing of the plurality of development units so that the image area of the photoconductor corresponding to the line image area of the specified color is developed by one of the development units selected from among the plurality of development units. Control.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the structure of a copying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes an original table glass, on which a color original, which will be described later, is placed at a predetermined position. Reference numeral 2 denotes an original irradiation lamp composed of, for example, a halogen lamp, which exposes the original placed on the original table glass 1. Scanning mirrors 3a to 3C are housed in an optical scanning unit (not shown) and guide reflected light from the document to the CCD unit 4 while reciprocating in the main scanning direction. The CCD unit 4 includes an imaging lens 4a,
Equipped with a switching filter that separates the reflected light into colors based on the copy color information specified from the switch box described later.
For example, the image sensor 4b includes a CCD, a non-filter image sensor 40, and the like. In addition, the image sensor 4b
The non-filter image sensor 4C constitutes an area detecting means according to the present invention, and detects a line drawing area of a specific color, which will be described later, in a color original placed on the original platen glass 1.

For example, a red filter for performing area detection is selectively arranged and set in the image sensor 4b according to an instruction from a switch box, which will be described later. Reference numeral 5 denotes a folding mirror, which folds back the reflected light imaged by the imaging lens 4a onto the photosensitive drum 6. Reference numeral 7 denotes a pre-exposure lamp, which eliminates the charge on the photosensitive drum 6 in preparation for image formation. A charger 8 charges the photosensitive drum 6 uniformly. Reference numeral 9 denotes an eraser unit serving as the eraser means of the present invention, which is composed of, for example, a semiconductor laser, etc.
In parallel with the original exposure of the optical scanning unit, a laser beam is irradiated outside the image area of the photosensitive drum 6 corresponding to the line image area of a specific color detected by the image pickup device 4b and the filter image pickup device 4c, and the static image formed is Erase the latent image. Note that if this erase processing is performed in parallel with the document exposure, a desired area can be erased without performing blisscanning.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a fixed developing device, which stores, for example, black toner. Reference numeral 11 denotes a replaceable developing unit, which is configured so that the user can easily set it in a predetermined position in the device. 11 is filled. 12a, 1
Reference numeral 2b denotes a paper feed cassette, in which the transfer sheet is fed into the device by driving each paper feed roller 13a, 13b, and is temporarily stopped at the position where the registration roller 14 is disposed, whereupon the transfer sheet is transferred to the image formed on the photosensitive drum 6. The position is timed and re-fed. A transfer charger 15 transfers the toner image developed on the photosensitive drum 6 onto a fed transfer sheet. 1
A separation charger 6 separates the transfer sheet after the transfer operation from the photosensitive drum 6. A conveyor belt 17 conveys the transfer sheet after the transfer process to a fixing device 1.

Reference numeral 19 denotes a flapper that controls the conveyance path of the transfer sheet that has undergone the fixing process in either the direction in which the paper discharge tray 20 or the intermediate tray 22 is disposed.

Feed rollers 21a to 21d feed the transfer sheet, which has undergone the fixing process once, to the intermediate tray 22 after being reversed (multiple) or non-reversed (double-sided).

Reference numeral 23 denotes a re-feeding roller which feeds the transfer sheet placed on the intermediate tray 22 again to the registration rollers 14 via the paper bus 24.
Transport it to the installation position. Reference numeral 25 denotes an exposure shutter that controls to block the image light scanned by the folding mirror 5 in accordance with the image area detected by the image sensor 4b and the no-filter image sensor 4c. The image control and color conversion development processing are totally controlled based on a control program stored in a ROM provided in the control unit C0NT which also serves as development control means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of main parts for explaining the configuration and control system of the eraser unit 9 shown in FIG.
Components that are the same as those in the figures are given the same reference numerals.

In this figure, 31 is a manuscript, for example, the letter P (red)
The image 31a is placed on the document table glass 1 with the image surface facing downward. 32 is an image area processing unit;
Based on the copy color designation specified from the switch box 33 (provided in the operation section, not shown), the image sensor 4b,
The readout of the non-filter image sensor 4c is set, and in this state, the image area information detected from the exposed document 31 is scanned over a predetermined scanning area (from the exposure position scanned by the folding mirror 5 to the laser scanned from the eraser unit 9). The erase information is stored in the driver circuit 34 at the timing when the photosensitive drum 6 rotating at a constant speed reaches the exposure position of the laser beam scanned by the eraser unit 9. memory 3
The erase beam is irradiated onto the photosensitive drum 6 based on the image area information (information calculated from the difference between the read data of the image sensor 4b and the non-filter image sensor 4c) stored in the image sensor 2a, and the erase beam is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. Erase the latent image.

Next, the color image recognition erase processing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color image recognition erase processing operation according to the present invention, in which reference numeral 41 is a color document, for example, a black character image 42 for the character "O" and a character rpJ.
In particular, the black character image 43 is surrounded by a red line drawing 44.

Reference numeral 51 denotes an erase image output, in which only the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 for the black character image 43 of the color original 41 is developed by the developing device 10 shown in FIG. This corresponds to a state in which black toner is transferred and fixed to a transfer paper. 51a is a black image output.

Note that, when the fixing operation is completed, the erased image output 51 is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 20 and placed thereon by the operation of the flapper 19.

Place the color original 41 at a predetermined position on the original platen glass 1 shown in FIG. 1, and copy from the switch box 33.
In other words, when the color designation of the developing unit 11 is inputted,
The image area processing unit 32 sets the readout of the image sensor 4b and the non-filter image sensor 4c to erase mode.

When exposure of the color original 41 is started in this state, the reflected light on the color original 41 is imaged on the image sensor 4b and the non-filter image sensor 4C as the scanning unit moves in the sub-scanning direction, and the read image data is converted into an image. A calculation circuit (not shown) of the area processing unit 32 calculates the difference between the image data output from the image sensor 4b and the image data output from the non-filter image sensor 4C, and the line image of the color original 41 is calculated. 4
4 (drawn in red) is recognized, and this line drawing 44
area data is sequentially stored in the internal memory 32a, and based on the data of the red line image area read out from the internal memory 32a, areas outside the corresponding area (before development) of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 are stored in the internal memory 32a. Erase information for irradiating the laser beam onto the area (outside the line drawing area) is output to the driver circuit 34, and the laser beam is irradiated from the eraser unit 9 to the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 outside the red line drawing area. , the electrostatic latent image outside the red line image area disappears.

Next, the electrostatic latent image is developed by the developing device 10, and the black toner is transferred and fixed onto the transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 12a, thereby obtaining the erased image output 51 shown in FIG. The erased image output 51 is then output to the flapper 1.
The paper is conveyed toward the paper discharge tray 20 via the paper guide 9 and is discharged.

Next, the color image automatic erase processing operation according to the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the color image automatic erase processing procedure according to the present invention. In addition, (1) ~
(4) indicates each step, and the procedure of each step is stored in the ROM provided in the control unit C0NT that controls the copying apparatus.

First, a red separation designation for the color original 41 is manually performed from the switch box 33 (1). Next, wait for the copy key to be pressed (2), and when it is pressed, set the red filter on the image sensor 4b (3) and press the flapper 19.
is set facing downward, and the conveyance path of the transfer paper to be conveyed is set in the direction of the paper discharge tray 2o. Next, reading scanning of the optical scanning unit is started, and the scanning of the color original 41 by the image sensor 4b and the non-filter image sensor 4c is started, and the area outside the specified area (surrounded by the line drawing 44) obtained by image recognition processing, which will be described later, is started. The image (external) is erased by the eraser unit 9, and only the latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 for the black character image 43 of the color original 41 is developed by the developer 10 shown in FIG. For example, black toner is transferred and fixed onto a transfer paper fed from the paper feed cassette 12a to obtain an erased image output 51 shown in FIG. 3 (4).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating the image recognition and erase processing procedure according to the present invention. In addition, (1) ~
(8) shows each step.

Original irradiation lamp 2. The optical system composed of the scanning mirrors 3a to 3C is advanced (1), and original exposure of the color original 41 placed on the original platen glass 1 is started. The image area processing unit 32 waits for the optical system to reach the document exposure start position, that is, the image edge 2), that is, the image edge signal that is output when the image edge sensor (not shown) detects a member of the optical scanning system. When the optical system reaches the image tip, the image pickup device 4b starts detecting the image area in parallel with the exposure scanning of the optical system, and the optical system detects the color of the color original 41, for example, when the image is drawn in red. When reaching the line drawing 44, one line of image area data is created 3), and it is determined whether or not to erase outside the line drawing 44 (erase outside the specified area) based on the color specification set from the switch box 33 4). If No, the process ends, and if YES, the image area processing unit 32 creates erase data outside the line drawing 44 (erase outside the designated area) based on the read data difference from the image sensor 4b and the non-filter image sensor 4C5) , and stored in the internal memory 32a in order to synchronize the image exposure position and the erase position (6).

Next, the erase unit 9 is driven until the laser beam irradiation position of the erase unit 9 reaches the leading latent image line position (erase line position) corresponding to the line image 44 formed on the photosensitive drum 6, and the image is formed on the photosensitive drum 6. An erase beam is irradiated outside the hatched area 44, and an erase process is executed to erase the area other than the line image 44 of the electrostatic latent image formed on the photosensitive drum 6 (7). Next, the end of the erase area is determined, that is, it is determined whether the erase position is the end of the image (8). If YES, the process ends, and if No, the process returns to step (3).

Note that the image end is determined by a timer that is driven for a certain period of time after the optical system is reversed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, the present invention includes an area detecting means for detecting a line drawing area of a specific color in a document, and an area detecting means for erasing an area outside the image area of a photoreceptor corresponding to the line drawing area of a specific color detected by the area detecting means. and a development control means for developing an image area of the photoreceptor corresponding to the specific line image area detected by the area detection unit by any one of the plurality of development units. By simply specifying the image erase area by enclosing a specific area in a color document with lines of a specific color, you can output a masking image that erases the image outside of the accurately drawn line drawings. Has excellent advantages.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating the configuration of a copying apparatus showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of essential parts illustrating the configuration of the eraser unit shown in FIG. 1 and its control system, FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating the color image color conversion processing operation according to the present invention, FIG. 4 is a flowchart explaining the color image automatic erase processing procedure according to the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an image recognition and erase processing procedure according to the present invention. It is a flow chart explaining. In the figure, 4 is a COD unit, 4b is an image sensor, 4c is a non-filter image sensor, 9 is an erase unit, 32 is an image area processing section, 33 is a switch box, and 34 is a driver circuit. Figure 1 Figure 2 34゛Doff 1JV Dan Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] It has multiple developing units that develop electrostatic latent images formed on a photoconductor into multiple colors, and an original placed on a document table is exposed to light, and an image is formed on the surface of the photoconductor by the reflected light. In a copying apparatus that develops each electrostatic latent image in the developing unit and forms multiple transfers of the developed images on a conveyed recording sheet, an area detecting means for detecting a line image area of a specific color in the document; an eraser for erasing an area outside the image area of the photoconductor corresponding to the line drawing area of the specific color detected by the area detection unit; A copying apparatus comprising: a development control means for developing an image area by one of the plurality of development units selected from the plurality of development units.